Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church stands on Wagner Road in Glenview, Illinois, a quiet north suburb of Chicago just minutes west of the Edens Expressway. Since its founding at the end of the 1950s, the parish has grown into one of the Chicago area's most established English-language Orthodox communities, drawing worshipers from many ethnic and faith backgrounds into a single neo-Byzantine sanctuary whose dome is decorated with an ambitious cycle of icons. Around that sanctuary the parish has built an unusually full life of worship, education, youth ministry, philanthropy, and fellowship, all under the spiritual umbrella of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Metropolis of Chicago.
Sundays at Saints Peter & Paul
The center of parish life is the Sunday gathering. Orthros, or Matins, begins at 8:15 a.m., and the Divine Liturgy follows at 9:30 a.m. From the start of June until the end of August, the schedule shifts slightly: the Divine Liturgy begins at 9:00 a.m. Services are conducted predominantly in English, a hallmark that has shaped the parish since its earliest days. The Music ministry points out that "the musical expression of our faith is led by both Chanters and our Choir, yet all the faithful are encouraged to raise their voice in song during the services," and Psalm 46:7 - "Sing praises to God; sing praises; Sing praises to our King; sing praises" - frames the Choir's own description of its calling.
Children are present at the Liturgy from its opening rather than being separated for the whole service. The Church School program begins with family worship in the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m., and students go to class after Holy Communion, with classes ending at 11:45. The priest meets first-time visitors at the front door through the Greeters ministry, which has a rotation that brings greeters to church by 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings to assist and seat the assembly. Members of the Welcome Ministry, reached at welcome@ssppiol.org, are also available to meet visitors and arrange church tours for individuals or groups.
A House of Icons: The Temple and Its Decoration
The sanctuary at Saints Peter & Paul is a neo-Byzantine temple whose decoration is the work of several generations of artists. The iconostasis, featuring Christ, the Theotokos, John the Baptist, and Saints Peter and Paul, was painted by John Terzis in 1964-1965. In the following two years, Tonelli created the mosaics of the Virgin Mary Platytera in the apse and Saints Peter and Paul in the narthex. The dome received its most ambitious work in 2000-2001, when George Filippakis painted Christ Pantokrator, the angelic liturgy, the procession of angels, and seventeen saints. In 2001, the parish also restored the dome itself, adding additional iconography.
More recent work includes portable icons by Gianfranco Tassara (St. Paraskeve in 2022 and St. Demetrios in 2024) and a body of portable icons of saints and feasts by Peter Mihalopoulos and Constantine Youssis. Together these commissions give the temple a continuous visual program that traces the parish's growth: from the iconostasis and apse mosaics of its first sanctuary to the dome work that followed the parish's consecration by Archbishop Iakovos on November 19, 1978.
From Crow Island School to a Consecrated Temple: Parish History
The parish began in the winter of 1958, when a number of Greek Orthodox Christians met to discuss their common need for a parish in Chicago's northern suburbs. The state of Illinois recognized the community of Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in 1959, and Sunday school classes began around that time at the Crow Island School in Winnetka. On March 25, 1960, the new community received its ecclesiastical charter from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America and worship services began. Groundbreaking took place in 1963 with Bishop Meletios officiating, and on November 15, 1964, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the new sanctuary in Glenview.
Rapid growth followed. The Community Center, adjacent to the Church, was completed in 1974, and the sanctuary was consecrated on November 19, 1978, by Archbishop Iakovos. In 1991 the parish acquired a two-acre parcel that became the north parking lot. The dome was restored and embellished in 2001, and the Agape Preschool program began around the same time, now enrolling roughly thirty-five students in four classes including kindergarten. The parish has been served by a succession of head priests: Fr. Kyrillos Petrovas (1960-1962), Fr. Dennis Latto (1962-1973), Fr. George Scoulos (1974-2000), Fr. Angelo Artemas (2001-2012), Fr. James Dokos (2012-2014), and Fr. Panagiotis Boznos (2014-2019). Since 2019, Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews has served as Proistamenos with Deacon Theodore Saclarides, who has served at the parish since 2016. Fr. Peter Sarolas joined as associate priest in 2025. Several associate priests and former youth directors have gone on to lead other parishes, and two priests were attached during their assignments as military chaplains at Great Lakes Naval Station.
Welcoming Visitors
The parish makes a deliberate point of welcoming visitors. "Our parishioners come from many backgrounds and faith traditions; there is no requirement or expectation that one must be of an ethnically Greek heritage nor speak Greek. Our services are conducted predominantly in the English language." Church tours for groups or individuals can be arranged through the office, and a short video tour on the parish's YouTube channel shows what a first-time visitor sees when walking through the front door. Visitors who wish to take part in the life of the parish are encouraged to begin with Sunday Liturgy and then to introduce themselves to the priest, the Welcome Ministry, or the Parish Administrator.
Clergy and Pastoral Care
Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, known as Fr. Rick, has been an ordained priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America since 1995 and was assigned to Saints Peter & Paul by Metropolitan Nathanael of the Metropolis of Chicago in August 2019. He holds a doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University (2019), a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (1994), and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management (1988). Fr. Rick serves as a frontline chaplain doing disaster response for International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), a calling he has carried since 2013. He and Presbytera Jane (Donovan), married since 1990, have an adult son, Theodore.
Fr. Peter Sarolas, the parish's associate priest since 2025, is the vice president of the Metropolis Clergy Syndesmos. He earned a BA in Religious Studies from Hellenic College in 1991 and an MDiv from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1994. He has previously served parishes in Chicago, Rockford, and Chicago again, and he has worked for St. Basil Academy in New York and as a registrar for the Metropolis of Chicago. He and Presvytera Maria have three sons.
Deacon Theodore Saclarides, MD, has served Saints Peter & Paul since 2016, having completed the permanent diaconate program at Holy Cross. A surgeon by profession who currently serves as Vice-Chairman of Surgery at Rush University, Dn. Ted is the husband of a Head Scientist and the father of five and grandfather of six. The pastoral team is rounded out by Steven Thell as Youth Director, supported by a Parish Administrator, an Administrative Assistant, a Communications Coordinator, and a Bookkeeper.
The Heart of the Faith
Saints Peter & Paul understands itself as a beacon for Orthodox Christian life, summed up in three statements: a purpose to "deeply connect with God and each other"; a vision to "become the holy people of God welcoming everyone on the path of transformation to experience the love, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit"; and a mission to "proclaim the Gospel through Orthodox Christian worship, fellowship, service, and witness."
The basics of Orthodox Christian spirituality are articulated in ten points: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord, God, and Savior with His Father and the Holy Spirit; daily prayer; weekly worship centered on the Sunday Divine Liturgy; love of neighbor and sacrificial almsgiving; fasting on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for communion as well as the four fasting seasons of the church year; sacramental participation in Confession, Holy Communion, and Holy Unction; daily reading of Scripture; catechism, Bible study, retreats, and seminars; stewardship of time, talent, and treasure in support of the Church's mission; and ethical and moral purity of thought, word, and action. The Creed is recited by the Faithful before the reception of Holy Communion, reflecting the parish's teaching that unity in the Eucharist, unity in the Faith, and unity in the bishop belong together. "The Orthodox Christian is expected to attend Sunday Divine Liturgy each week as well as special services throughout the year," including Great Lent, Holy Week, the Twelve Great Feasts, Paraklesis to the Theotokos, and other major services of the liturgical year.
Children, Youth, and Young Adults
The parish takes a stage-by-stage approach to forming young people in the life of the Church. HOPE group, for the youngest children and their parents, "creates an open space for the youngest of our church members to become comfortable and familiar with the church," and a place for parents and grandparents to meet and to learn how to foster a relationship with Christ in their children. Faith, Love, & Joy (FLJ), for elementary-age children, meets monthly on a Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for dinner and a three-part rotation on the evening's theme: an Orthodox life lesson, arts and crafts, and gym time. Junior GOYA gathers 6th through 8th graders four times a month: a general meeting, an outreach activity, an outing, and a Friday Funday with open gym, movies, and bonfires. The goal, the parish writes, is "to develop our youth's relationship with Christ" through "a community of Orthodox youth centered around worship, service and fellowship." Senior GOYA follows the same four-meeting rhythm for high schoolers, including a monthly CoffeeTalk where senior GOYAns meet at a coffee shop or diner to lead their own discussion of "real-world issues."
The Greek Dance ministry, led by Anna Andrews, gathers its groups once a week to learn dances from different regions of Greece and to perform throughout the year. For college students, GOYAlumni aims to be "a conduit for the holistic growth of our students with a heavy emphasis on service, fellowship and worship." The Young Adult League (YAL), for those between 18 and 35, gathers "intentional gatherings of Worship, Fellowship, Outreach, and Education for our Young Adults, giving them a place to encounter the newest challenges that our society poses, all within the contact of the Orthodox Church."
AGAPE Christian Academy and the Greek School
Saints Peter & Paul runs two educational programs on its campus. AGAPE Christian Academy is a preschool and kindergarten ministry of the parish, "committed to a high-quality educational experience that emphasizes the Orthodox Christian Faith." The program enrolls roughly thirty-five students across four classes: the Doves (2-year-olds), the Fishermen (turning 3s), the Disciples (3-year-olds), the Apostles (Pre-K), and the Saints (kindergarten). The Saints Peter & Paul Greek School teaches the Greek language to children in a parish setting, with small classes that allow teachers to focus on each student's needs. Its director, Stella Theoharopoulos, has taught at Saints Peter & Paul for more than twenty-five consecutive years and has been recognized by the United Hellenic Voters of America as a most distinguished Greek American in the field of education. The school emphasizes conversation, Greek culture, civilization, and traditions, along with kindness, respect, and faithfulness.
Adult Education: Coffee Connection, Bible Study, and the St. Stephen Men's Group
Coffee Connection, the parish's flagship adult education ministry, meets twice a month following Holy Communion until 11:55 a.m. in the youth room under the gym. The current year's theme is "The Creed: Why Does It Still Matter 1700 Years Later?" Participants gather in the kitchen for coffee and conversation, then move to an adjacent room for a presentation and discussion. Coffee Connection is led by Prof. Helen Theodoropoulos, Doreen DeSent, Anastasia, and Toni Maragos. The Pastor's Corner and the Educational Resources page supplement Coffee Connection with extensive reading lists on prayer, the Divine Liturgy, the Sacraments, the Creed, Lent, the Nativity, modern saints, scripture reading, and family practice in the Orthodox Christian home.
The St. Stephen Men's Group meets via Zoom on Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. for edifying study of Scripture and other books, "with a lively and inquisitive group, there is always an interesting tangent or two to explore." Catechism classes for those exploring Orthodoxy run each fall, most recently meeting on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for thirteen weeks, and are open to all, especially those preparing for Baptism and Chrismation. Cooperative Catechism with other Orthodox parishes in the area is coordinated through MEOCCA.
Caring for One Another: Cancer Support and Divorce Rebuilders
Two long-standing support ministries reflect the parish's commitment to walking with people through difficult seasons. The Georgia Photopulos Cancer Support Ministry was started in 1981 by Georgia Photopulos and Fr. George Scoulas, and renamed in Georgia's memory in 2012. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month and is open to parishioners and to those of other Orthodox churches and other denominations. Members share fears, frustrations, and challenges; learn coping strategies from others who have been through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation; laugh together; and encourage each other across decades of survivorship. The ministry's description makes a point of saying that the gatherings are "definitely not 'downers.' If you peek into one of our meetings, you'll see smiling faces and hear laughter more often than not!"
The Divorce Rebuilders Group has been offered for fifteen years as an Orthodox ministry for separated and divorced people, grounded in evidence-based counseling practices and Faith-based principles. Sessions are held twice a year for six weeks, beginning in early October and February, in designated Greek Orthodox church locations in the Chicago area, in person or via Zoom, with no cost to participants and no requirement that participants be Orthodox. One session in each series is led by the parish priest, and the program has been attended four hundred and fifty times over its lifetime. Participants report "a closer connection to their Orthodox faith and church along with new goals, self-awareness, and spiritual and personal growth."
Liturgical Ministries: Acolytes, Choir, Chanters, Prosphora, and Greeters
From the earliest years, the parish has cultivated lay involvement in the liturgy itself. Boys are invited to become acolytes at age eight; an acolyte assists the clergy in the divine services, especially the Sunday Divine Liturgy, and is assigned to one of two teams that alternate Sundays throughout the year. The acolytes' spiritual father is Fr. Rick, with assistant leaders Tommy Mantice and Deacon Theodore Saclarides.
The Choir and Chanters lead the musical expression of worship. Choir practice is held on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:00 p.m. under the direction of Choir Director Therese Speropoulos, with Helen Mariano serving as Organist and Chris Atsaves, Nick Mechales, and John Colis serving as Chanters. Prosphora - the Greek word for "offerings" and the bread offered by the Faithful to be sanctified in the Holy Eucharist - is baked each week by several parishioners on behalf of the entire community, a tangible way for Orthodox Christians to participate in the Divine Liturgy. The Greeters rotate through groups on Sunday mornings, arriving at 9:00 a.m. to stand throughout the Liturgy, with service "once every nine or ten weeks." During Holy Week, Greeters usually serve one or two additional times.
Care for Creation
Care for Creation is "one of the first such Orthodox church ministries in the United States." The ministry's purpose is to encourage commitment, implement programs, and establish community through the stewardship of creation, including the beautification and conservation of the parish landscape. Its programs include energy-efficient lighting, an Environment Vespers, a Food Garden, the introduction of Solar Energy, a Natural Landscape Initiative, a recycling program, and a "Take Care of the Earth Campaign" that aims to educate parishioners at fifty-eight churches in the Chicago Metropolis about the urgent importance and our God-given responsibility to mitigate man-made climate change. The ministry is also connected to the wider Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration and the Oikou network, which explore the intersection of Orthodoxy and the environment.
St. Basil's Philanthropy Ministry
St. Basil's Philanthropy Ministry coordinates the parish's outreach to the wider community, partnering with local charitable organizations such as Vitalant Blood Banks, Habitat for Humanity, Glenview Youth Services, and Interfaith Action of Evanston. The ministry frames its work around Matthew 25:35 and 25:40: "For I was hungry and you gave Me food… I was thirsty and you gave Me drink… I was a stranger and you took Me in… I was naked and you clothed Me… I was in prison and you came to Me… Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." The committee works with each ministry of the parish to help them find an opportunity to give back, with the hope that "every member of our parish will participate in our efforts to care for others and will be able to see firsthand the love of Christ at work in the Church." Philoptochos, the national women's philanthropy organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, operates alongside St. Basil's as a separate, complementary ministry of the parish.
Fellowship, Athletics, and Parish Life
Fellowship at Saints Peter & Paul runs through Coffee Fellowship after Sunday Liturgy, hosted by parish families and ministries. The parish also supports an annual Golf Outing, a Greek Dance program that brings the community together through song and movement, the Orthodox Couples Club (OCC), and Dynamis, along with Athletics opportunities for adults and young people. Coffee Connection gatherings, GOYAlumni events, and a Parents' Prayer ministry all weave the generations together, while the Volunteer Your Special Talent program matches parishioners' skills with the specific jobs that arise in parish life. The parish publishes a Weekly Newsletter, a weekly schedule email called The Messenger, and a Calendar of Events.
Stewardship, Giving, and the Parish Health Plan
"The Church is the Body of Christ on earth and carries on His ministry in the world today." So opens the Stewardship donation page, which explains that the parish asks each member unit - single, couple, or family - to give three percent or more of their gross yearly household income, with ten percent as the biblical ideal. Stewardship donations can be made online through the parish's secure Realm database, by check, or by transfer of appreciated stock. Other planned-giving options include qualifying retirement plans, life insurance policies, and gifts of real property. A Parish Health Plan, adopted in 2025 and presented to the Parish Assembly that November, builds on the earlier 2015 strategic plan "Reaching Forward to What Lies Ahead: Vision 2025" and sets priorities for 2026 and a three-year horizon.
Office Hours, Contact, and Emergencies
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For emergencies, the office voicemail directs callers to leave a message for Fr. Rick; if there is no callback within fifteen minutes, callers are asked to leave a brief message again. For clergy, the office can be reached at (847) 729-2235 or office@ssppglenview.org. A short list of staff and ministry email addresses - for the parish administrator, communications coordinator, bookkeeper, acolytes, choir, prosphora, Greek school, youth, GOYAlumni, YAL, men's group, divorce rebuilders, philanthropy, and others - is maintained. Saints Peter & Paul also uses the REALM app as its parish database and directory, allowing members to see giving statements, manage contributions, and connect with ministries.
Visitors who want a first impression before arriving are invited to watch the parish's video tour. Those ready to come in person will find a welcoming Greek Orthodox congregation, an English-language Divine Liturgy, an icon-decorated sanctuary, and a full program of formation, fellowship, and service waiting across the threshold on Wagner Road.